ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, THORNDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4160, 21 July 1874, Page 3

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, THORNDON.

The annual meeting of parishioners of St. Paul’s church, Thomdon, was held in the school-room, Sydney Street, last evening ; tho rev. incumbent, Mr. Harvey, in the chair. In his opening speech the chairman took occasion to make congratulatory remarks on the very satisfactory condition of tho church. The parish had never been in so prosperous a financial position ; the offertories were considerably greater than last year ; the attendance was much larger, particularly at the evening service j the number of communicants was greatly increased, a larger number of persons having been confirmed; and the Sunday school and Bible class were going_ on well. The rev. gentleman expressed his thanks to those who had so ably assisted him, and had worked heartily in tho interests of the church. He also explained his reasons for considering a shorter morning service, and the establishment of,, a short service at 9 a.m, desirable. In the annual report which was read and adopted, it was stated that tho principal matter for congratulation was the enlargement of tho church, which provided one hundred and twenty additional seats, the money for which was advanced by tho Hon, Mr. Pharazyn—to whom a vote of thanks was subsequently passed—and out of which advance a sufficient sum was left to relieve the mortgage on tho parsonage, and repay £IOO due to the Pension Puud. Tims the total debt of the church on tho Ist January, 1874, was £BOO, towards the discharge of which a sinking fund would be provided by means of a quarterly offertory. It was confidently hoped that in five years tho church would ho entirely free from its present debt. Tho total revenue from all sources for tho year was £1852 12s. 7d. ; the expenditure, £1470 6s, ; and tho balance on the 30th Juno, £382 6s. 7d. This balance was chargeable with sundry matters which would bring the sum to commence the new year with down to £228 7s. 9d. The report pointed out the inconvenience arising from tho pow rents not being regularly paid. The whole of the now sittings had boon applied for, and more were required. Tho arrears duo for pew rents were £IOO 10a. Thanks were conveyed to the choir. Tho vestry had joined with that of St. Peter 1 a in contributing towarda the erection of a tablet to tho memory of Jamea Putter, late sexton and verger. The vestry wardens recommended that in future years collections made on Eaater Sunday bo given, as in other Provinces, as an Eaater offering to tho Incumbent. At a meeting held on 22nd June, it was determined to

form a new district out of a portion of the parish of St. Peter’s, Te Aro. The vestry wardens being desirous of assisting in promoting this object, had decided, subject to the ratification of the parishioners, in conjunction with the vesting of St. Peter’s, to guarantee a sum not exceeding £l5O towards the stipend of a clergyman for the first twelve months ; the burden to be borne in equal proportions by the two parishes. It was hoped that by the end of the first year the new district would have so far advanced as to do away with the necessity of further extraneous assistance. The, financial statement was then read and passed. On proceeding to the election of office bearers, the Hon. Mr. Pharazyu was unanimously appointed parish churchwarden; the vestry wardens elected were—Messrs. Stowe, Smith, Powles, Barraud, Anderson, Heap, Gordon, Kemp, Cherritt, and Lee. Messrs. Holmes and Lambert were reelected. Mr. Clarke consented to act as clergyman’s churchwarden, and the Hon. Mr. Pharazyu as parish churchwarden. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.